Bihar Boat Tragedy: 13 Children Die as Boat Capsizes in Ganga, Search Underway for Missing Passengers
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
At least 13 children lost their lives when a boat carrying an estimated 20 to 30 people overturned in the Ganga near Rampur Shyamchand village in Bihar’s Vaishali district on Tuesday evening. Rescue teams were searching for those still unaccounted for, as allegations of official negligence fuelled protests in the area.
Children From Same Family Among Victims
The passengers were travelling to a feast in a nearby village when the boat reportedly became unstable after entering the river’s stronger current and overturned. Those on board were thrown into the water.
The tragedy struck one family particularly hard, with seven of the children who died reportedly belonging to Rampravesh Rai, known locally as Raja, of Rampur Shyamchand.
The group’s journey involved crossing the Ganga and a nearby waterlogged lowland, locally called a dhab. The exact number of passengers on the boat has not yet been established.
Search Operation Underway
Villagers were among the first to reach the river and attempt rescues. Police and district officials subsequently joined the effort, supported by teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local divers.
Authorities were trying to determine whether anyone else remained missing. The full circumstances of the accident were still being investigated.
Villagers Question Boat Safety
Residents protested after the incident, alleging that the boat was in poor condition and that earlier requests to replace it had gone unanswered. Some also suspected that it was carrying more people than it could safely accommodate.
These claims have not yet been established, and the cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Chirag Paswan Announces Visit
Union Minister Chirag Paswan expressed sorrow over the deaths. The accident occurred in Raghopur Diyara, which lies within his parliamentary constituency.
Paswan said he had contacted the District Magistrate to seek an update on rescue efforts and discuss assistance for the victims’ families from the state and central governments. He also said he would visit the site and meet the bereaved families.
He added that injured passengers had been taken to NMCH for treatment. The Bihar Congress also offered condolences to the families who lost children in the tragedy.
